Fostering Innovation: Highlights from the Prescott Startup Hackathon

The Prescott Startup Hackathon, a three-day event that took place from March 31st to April 2nd, 2023, at the Center for the Future in downtown Prescott, brought together aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors to learn, collaborate, and innovate. Supported by the Center for the Future, a grant from the USDA, and the Chamber Foundation, the hackathon successfully launched four exciting companies in its first cohort.

Expertly mentored and facilitated by Peter Mantas, a Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur, the four companies formed during the event were led by founders Gabe Navarrete, Dan Kowalsky, Lee Zwak, and Darrell Denlinger. The event was structured around the following startup formation and progression path: Ideation, Discovery, Validation, Implementation, and Launch. This first event focused on the first two stages. There will be a secondary Cohort focused on the same curriculum and then ultimately the cohorts will be combined to follow-through on the remaining three stages. Holistically the whole process helps guide companies through the process of creation, validation, building a successful business for early stage funding, and participating in regional and state pitch competitions.

As part of the event, participants had the opportunity to meet and learn from a diverse group of experienced local mentors from various industries. The hackathon concluded with an early Venture Pitch on April 2, 2023, where teams showcased their progress and ideas developed during the event.

Adding to the inspiration, Ray Bedard, the CEO of TrueCourse Simulations and the recent winner of the Quad Cities Annual AZ Pioneer Pitch, attended the event and showcased his winning pitch to the Startup Hackathon participants, fostering a deeper connection and motivation among them.

If you’re interested in participating in the next cohort or learning more about the Center for the Future, RSVP now (June 2 @ 4:00 pm – June 4 @ 5:00 pm). Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of Prescott’s vibrant startup ecosystem and unlock your full potential.

---

About Center for the Future

The Center for the Future, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to creating an exciting hub for future commerce in Northern Arizona. Focused on incubating, accelerating, and attracting companies to the Prescott Region and Yavapai County, they offer coworking opportunities, resources, and support for entrepreneurs, startups, and organizations.